Fitness expert, Houma native offers weight-loss resolution advice

Published: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 8:40 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 8:40 p.m.

Health and fitness is not a main focus in south Louisiana, Houma native Debbie Denova-Baker said.

“We like greasy food, and we like to party and have a good time,” the 36-year-old fitness guru said. “So my husband and I wanted to find a solution for people who want to lose weight but aren’t really into the gym scene. That’s when we opened the Koko FitClub.”

Koko is a Japanese word that means individual, as in one-to-one, which is exactly what Denova-Baker said the club is all about.

Koko FitClub, a franchise concept, started in 2007 in Massachusetts. Facilities use a Smartrainer — an automated, personal training, full color, touch-screen monitor.

Members are given a “Koko Key” preloaded with their fitness goals.

While in college studying mass communication, Denova-Baker worked as a personal trainer and aerobics instructor. That personal training experience, combined with Koko, allows her members to always progress, she said, leaving no room to plateau or stop losing weight. The constant motivation doesn’t allow workouts to get lazy.

“It provides a voice-guided workout, whistles if you take too long between sets and sends emails if you haven’t come in in a while,” Denova-Baker said.

Having such motivation is what Denova-Baker said is key to being successful with the inevitable New Year’s weight-loss resolution.

“I’m a big proponent of just living it out instead of a once-a-year resolution,” Denova-Baker said. “But if you believe in them, I think what’s missing in New Year’s resolutions is wanting to lose weight but not attaching a ‘why.’”

“I think if people really wrap their emotions around it — like saying ‘my kids want me to run around,’ or ‘my dad died of a heart attack so it’s in my family, and I want to be around to see my grandkids,’ — then people can continue all the way through the year and work it into their lifestyle,” she added.

Denova-Baker said to remember SMART, a helpful acronym for your journey to better health in 2013.

SPECIFIC: Answer three basic questions — what, why and how?

For example, plan to lose 35 pounds by taking a vigorous walk twice around your neighborhood every day and eliminating soft drinks from your diet, Denova-Baker suggested.

“It is easy to see how powerful a specific statement of intent is, especially when compared to the typical half-hearted resolution. Notice that in the example, the ‘what’ is stated as a quantifiable 35-pound fat loss.”

MEASURABLE: “I want to lose some weight this year” is not as measurable a goal as “I want to lose 4 inches from my waist and fit into a size 8 dress by the 2013 office Christmas party,” Denova-Baker said.

APPROPRIATE: Just because you can, does not always mean you should. When setting a weight-loss goal, it is of dire importance to consider factors such as health, lifestyle and quality of life. Always consult a doctor before beginning any new exercise or diet program.

REALISTIC: Not everyone is meant to have hard bodies. Genetic limitations, time constraints, safety considerations and even personal willingness can all be hindering factors.

TIMELY: Time frames tend to foster the sense of urgency so are useful in accomplishing goals of any type. Without identifying a specific end time to goal procrastination is more likely.

“And sadly, ‘someday’ never comes,” Denova-Baker said. “If you don’t get fired up, you just might fizzle out, and you’re too smart for another year of that.”

Koko FitClub has locations in Houma, Thibodaux and Baton Rouge.

“We’re planning on opening several more in 2013, and members get a passport membership to all the clubs we own,” Denova-Baker said.

Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.

<p>Health and fitness is not a main focus in south Louisiana, Houma native Debbie Denova-Baker said. </p><p>“We like greasy food, and we like to party and have a good time,” the 36-year-old fitness guru said. “So my husband and I wanted to find a solution for people who want to lose weight but aren't really into the gym scene. That's when we opened the Koko FitClub.” </p><p>Koko is a Japanese word that means individual, as in one-to-one, which is exactly what Denova-Baker said the club is all about. </p><p>Koko FitClub, a franchise concept, started in 2007 in Massachusetts. Facilities use a Smartrainer — an automated, personal training, full color, touch-screen monitor. </p><p>Members are given a “Koko Key” preloaded with their fitness goals.</p><p>While in college studying mass communication, Denova-Baker worked as a personal trainer and aerobics instructor. That personal training experience, combined with Koko, allows her members to always progress, she said, leaving no room to plateau or stop losing weight. The constant motivation doesn't allow workouts to get lazy. </p><p>“It provides a voice-guided workout, whistles if you take too long between sets and sends emails if you haven't come in in a while,” Denova-Baker said. </p><p>Having such motivation is what Denova-Baker said is key to being successful with the inevitable New Year's weight-loss resolution.</p><p>“I'm a big proponent of just living it out instead of a once-a-year resolution,” Denova-Baker said. “But if you believe in them, I think what's missing in New Year's resolutions is wanting to lose weight but not attaching a 'why.'” </p><p>“I think if people really wrap their emotions around it — like saying 'my kids want me to run around,' or 'my dad died of a heart attack so it's in my family, and I want to be around to see my grandkids,' — then people can continue all the way through the year and work it into their lifestyle,” she added. </p><p>Denova-Baker said to remember SMART, a helpful acronym for your journey to better health in 2013. </p><p>SPECIFIC: Answer three basic questions — what, why and how? </p><p>For example, plan to lose 35 pounds by taking a vigorous walk twice around your neighborhood every day and eliminating soft drinks from your diet, Denova-Baker suggested. </p><p>“It is easy to see how powerful a specific statement of intent is, especially when compared to the typical half-hearted resolution. Notice that in the example, the 'what' is stated as a quantifiable 35-pound fat loss.”</p><p>MEASURABLE: “I want to lose some weight this year” is not as measurable a goal as “I want to lose 4 inches from my waist and fit into a size 8 dress by the 2013 office Christmas party,” Denova-Baker said. </p><p>APPROPRIATE: Just because you can, does not always mean you should. When setting a weight-loss goal, it is of dire importance to consider factors such as health, lifestyle and quality of life. Always consult a doctor before beginning any new exercise or diet program. </p><p>REALISTIC: Not everyone is meant to have hard bodies. Genetic limitations, time constraints, safety considerations and even personal willingness can all be hindering factors. </p><p>TIMELY: Time frames tend to foster the sense of urgency so are useful in accomplishing goals of any type. Without identifying a specific end time to goal procrastination is more likely. </p><p>“And sadly, 'someday' never comes,” Denova-Baker said. “If you don't get fired up, you just might fizzle out, and you're too smart for another year of that.” </p><p>Koko FitClub has locations in Houma, Thibodaux and Baton Rouge. </p><p>“We're planning on opening several more in 2013, and members get a passport membership to all the clubs we own,” Denova-Baker said. </p><p>Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.</p>